Skywatch Friday

I'm excited about the warmer weather we've got coming next week.  Sounds like Phil the Groundhog was correct about an early Spring, we'll be in the mid 60s in the next few days.  Hopefully, that will give me more motivation to get out and find some fantastic photos for next week's Skywatch.  Here are this week's photos, all SOOC.

Please take a moment to see skyscapes from across the world at SkyWatch Friday!

Daylight Moon over North Carolina, USA February 10, 2011

SOOC (and I took this at a stoplight through my dirty windshield) We had a light dusting of snow, and it had melted everywhere except for the cornered angles of this church.  Kernersville NC, February 10, 2011

The end of the setting sun as seen from Main Street, Kernersville NC February 10, 2011

The sky was filled with cotton balls in NC on February 9, 2011

Treasuries!

Treasury time!  Here are my a few of my favorite treasuries that my work has been featured in over the last few weeks.  Not sure what a treasury is?  Here’s a link to Donna’s blog, where she explains it beautifully!

(Incidentally, I met Donna through the Treasury Challenge NonTeam, and she is fabulous!  She designs and creates beautiful jewelry while travelling the country with her husband in their RV.  She’s blogging about the experience, and right now she’s parked on the Texas coast.  She is a lot of fun to follow, you can check her blog out here and you can find her jewelry shop here.)

Such an honor to be featured in these treasuries!  Pure awesomeness! Now please take a moment, and explore the many shops represented today!

Mary, Thank You! (But I’m not sure I know who you are…)

Don’t you love it when you get real mail…personal, handwritten mail?

Isn’t this a pretty greeting card?  Someone took the time out of their day to go to the store, pick it out, include a handwritten note, and send it to… me?

I say it with a question mark, because I don’t really know that it was meant for me. 

It’s addressed to me, with my name and address.  It’s from someone that doesn’t know me very personally, because my name changed last year, and it was addressed with my former last name.  It was my building number, but did not include the apartment letter.  Anyway, it was addressed to me, it came to me, I opened it… and I’m not sure who it’s from.

Mary.  It’s from Mary.  She signed the card, there’s a return label on the envelope, with her last name and address.  She lives in a city close by… I’m sure I must know her.  Have met her recently, she says right there on the card we haven’t known each other long.  But the fact is, I’m usually really good with names… especially with people whose “heart I have touched”.  But I haven’t really met anybody new recently.  And I haven’t met Mary.   Although I know I’d like her, because I love the type of people that send greeting cards and include a handwritten note. 

 

And really, though I don’t know for sure that this was written for me… it was written for me.  It comes at a time when I need to hear what it says.  “Here’s wishing you a little time to find the peaceful you.”  Mary took the time to underline that herself.   It’s the way of the Universe, isn’t it, to send you the very thing you need the most at the time you could really use it?  That’s kinduv what this card is for me… the Universe dropping me a line and reminding me that I’m okay, everything is as it should be… for now.  And I am a strong and beautiful person. 

I’ve chosen to share this through my blog because I wonder if Mary is a reader of it? 

I definitely feel as if I “know” some people through their blog.  These are very personal things for some of us, and I am very often touched by your stories and journeys. 

Perhaps Mary is reading this right now.  Mary, thank you for taking the time to send this to me.  You brightened my day, and I appreciate you for that. 

If she is not a reader of this blog, what do you think I should do?  I still wonder if it was intended for another person with the same name… that Mary met her and found my address through the phone book.  I’m the only one listed in my town, but that doesn’t mean I’m the only one living here.

Should I send her a note back thanking her?  Should I let her know that I’m not sure that I know her?

Or should I just accept it, and cherish it for what it is?

Kindness and encouragement sealed in an envelope.

Project 365: Week 5, January 29-February 4

I can't believe we're rolling into February already!  36 days down, only 329 to go!  Let's get started...

Day 30: January 29

Through the Eye of a Horse-- Older Daughter attended a birthday party with a riding lesson!

Day 31: January 30

Pretty soon you'll be able to stalk me, or at least follow me on my way to work!  ;)

Day 32: January 31

The little solar powered dancing flower from the Dollar Tree just makes me happy!  It sways back and forth in the light.

Day 33: February 1

Maybe it's the glasses... Until I was editing this photo, I thought my daughter resembled more of their Dad's side of the family.  I think I remember seeing a photo of my Mom, still a teenager in the 60s, wearing this type of sunglasses, with that same half-smile that my daughter has on her face. 

Day 34: February 2

Winter Sunset at the Park--  It was a beautiful day, another one in the 60s, and I was hoping (expecting!) to see blooms and blossoms, and color... hello, it is still winter!!  But I did get a nice shot of the sun setting between the trees.  (The funny thing is, when I read my sister's blog later that evening, I saw that she went out looking for the same thing... and she did find Springtime!  Her photo is gorgeous SOOC, but she did also did an edit to die for... check it out here.  I seriously want her photo framed and on my wall.)

Day 35: February 3

Her Mother and I have been friends for years, and our daughters were born just six months apart.  As we get older, it's hard to make time to get together, but we always make a point to do something fun around birthday time.  Girlie is having her 7th birthday on Sunday.

Day 36: February 4

Working on Older Daughter's science project.  Here's Day 2 of "The Naked Egg".  The egg is in a container covered in vinegar, and the shell dissolves, leaving the rubbery membrane.  The experiment will be complete tomorrow, when we should be able to shine a flashlight through it and see the inside.  Cool!

I think I've changed my "week" each week so far, but I'm probably going to stick with this... Saturday-Friday.  I want to be ready to link on early on Saturday!

How did your week go?  Are you excited that Phil has predicted an early Spring?  (Those of you reading this in the Midwest and Northeast, please don't roll your eyes when you read that!)  

Please leave a comment so I can be sure to visit your blog, too!

Skywatch Friday: Winter Sunset at the Park

A Winter Sunset

The frosty sky, like a furnace burning,
The keen air, crisp and cold,
And a sunset that splashes the clouds with gold
But my heart to summer turning.
Come back, sweet summer ! come back again !
I hate the snow,
And the icy winds that the north lands blow,
And the fall of the frozen rain.
I hate the iron ground,
And the Christmas roses,
And the sickly day that dies when it closes,
With never a song or a sound.
Come back ! come back ! with your passionate heat
And glowing hazes,
And your sun that shines as a lover gazes,
And your day with the tired feet.
Lord Alfred Douglas 

 Visit Skywatch and see the view from around the world!

Spring 2011 Colors and Jewelry Trends

Today is Groundhog Day, and Punxsutawney Phil has predicted an early Spring!  Woo hoo!   (Okay, his accuracy rate is is only 39%, but that's still better than some of the human weather forecasters!)  Though we've had very cold days here in North Carolina, today the temperature is in the 60s and I've opened the windows wide for a breath of fresh air.  It is duly noted that right now half of the country is under severe snow storms, and I hope you all are faring well and staying warm.

Whether Spring is early or "on time", it's time to think about the trends!  If you are a handmade artist, it's important to know what colors and styles people will be wearing in the upcoming seasons. 

The Spring of 2011 is going to bring big and chunky.  Geometric and and complex.  Metallic and colorful.  Really, there is something for everyone. 

Pantone is the place to go if you're looking for the HOT colors.  What do you think of  Pantone's trending colors for Spring 2011?  For your best color combinations, be sure to use a color wheel.  For more detail on how to use one, check out Wikipedia's article.   

A 1908 color wheel with red, green, and violet "plus colors" and magenta, yellow, and cyan blue "minus colors"

According to becomegorgeous.com, bangles are going to be hot this season.  You can see the latest fashion trends, including those chunky necklaces and oversized bangles here.

According to trendbloger.com,  the upcoming trends include eco and do-it-yourself, flora & fauna, military and urban futuristic, maritime & multi-ethnic, vintage & retro-romantic.  Not sure what some of those styles are?  You can check out their article here.

Refinery29.com is talking about cabochons, tassel and fringe, clean and architectural, plastics and perspex (60s, anyone?), and Rose-Gold.  Find lots of pretty examples of these types of jewelry in their article here.

How are you going to incorporate these styles and colors into your handmade items?  What type of jewelry do you think you'll see the most of, and that you'll wear yourself?

I'd love to see what you're creating for Spring.  Leave a link to your favorite Spring item in the comments!

February Photo Hunt Challenge: Sign Up is Open!

The linky is open for February’s Photo Hunt Challenge… stop by and sign up!    The Challenge is open to all skill levels, and it’s a fun way to explore and experiment with your photography. 

Here’s this month’s list… all photos for the Challenge must be taken in the month of February. 

Ashley also has a fantastic list of daily challenges on her blog!  If you love photography, either as a hobbyist, amateur or professional, you should definitely check out her page!